Menü
You can discover many warm golden details in Kandy, the cultural hotspot in the heart of Sri Lanka. I want to show you everything you need to know about this bustling city.
Kandy is located in the heart of Sri Lanka and is for many a starting point for the beautiful train journey to Ella. But the city itself also has a lot to offer, so I can definitely recommend an overnight stay or two. We really enjoyed Kandy, as there is a lot to do, even if some people think it’s too hectic. You can combine your stay with a trip to Knuckles National Park to experience beautiful nature off the beaten track.
As tradition holds, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) is said to contain the left canine tooth of the Buddha, making it a place of profound religious and cultural importance.
This relic is among the most revered in Buddhism. The spiritual atmosphere is immediately apparent as you step into the temple, where many locals arrive with flowers and prayers.
Though the tooth itself isn’t visible, the temple complex includes a building with an impressive collection of Buddha statues from various countries.
We really enjoyed our visit, even if it’s not a place where you’ll spend hours. Arriving early in the morning, we found it pleasantly quiet. The golden, warm details combined with the soft morning light made the temple even more beautiful.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you can visit the Botanical Gardens and easily spend two hours there. There are countless plant species to marvel at and you can also chill out here without the noise of the city. Definitely a beautiful place for lovers of botanical gardens.
The botanical garden is located just outside the city but is easy to reach by bus or tuk-tuk.
From Kandy, you can take a one to three day trip to the nearby national park. We wanted to experience nature in Sri Lanka away from the tourist crowds and decided to take a guided day tour. You can hike through rice fields, tea plantations and forests. There are waterfalls, as well as many plant species and unique views to discover.
Kandy Lake is located in the center of Kandy next to the grounds of the Temple of the Tooth. There is a lot of hustle and bustle all around, but a walk along the lake is always worthwhile. At sunset, you can watch the birds and the reflections on the water. Next to the temple complex, there is a building where you can sit on the ground to watch the sunset. This is also the best place for a walk, as there are noisy streets on the opposite side.
A small but beautiful temple on a hill with a great panoramic view over the city. You can sit there and relax and enjoy the view, or climb the large Buddha statue. We took a tuktuk up for 800 LKR (2.3 EUR) and were really glad we did as we drove past the people who were walking. We then walked down, but you can also tell your driver to wait for you. At the top, you hand in your shoes, pay the entrance fee of 600 LKR (1.8 EUR), and are ready to climb the few stairs to the temple.
Every evening you have the chance to watch a traditional dance show, some of which are truly spectacular. At the Kandy Lake Club you can expect unique costumes, fire breathers, traditional dances and music. The show lasts 1 hour and is very entertaining. Of course, it’s made especially for tourists (and therefore not quite as cheap), yet it doesn’t feel like a commercialization of the culture. All the dancers and staff were very motivated, friendly and clearly enjoyed the different dance styles.
After visiting the temple complex, it is a good idea to stroll through the streets from there. Okay, it’s a bit crowded and hectic to call it a stroll, but there are still interesting motifs to discover. Next to the Temple of the Tooth is the Sacred city, where there are more shrines and a church. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree is also located here. It is said to be 2,300 years old and is another sacred relic of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
There are many cafés and restaurants nearby. If you need a change from rice and curry, this is the place for you. You’ll find pizza, pasta, bowls and much more. I had pasta with mushroom sauce at Café 1886 and it was surprisingly good. The building in the photo is directly opposite.
As Kandy is the second largest city, it is well connected. If you are coming from the north, there are bus connections from Anuradhapura and Dambulla to the center of Kandy, for example. There is a train connection from Colombo to Kandy, which takes around 3.5 hours.
You can also get to Kandy from the highlands, for example from Nuwara Eliya (Nanuoya) and Ella, in a few hours by train. If you would like fixed (guaranteed) seats, we recommend buying tickets on 12 GoAsia 30 days in advance, otherwise it can get really crowded on the train. However, this option is significantly more expensive.
© All Rights Reserved 2024 HEXploretheworld